Treatment Facility Plant in Pigs Effluent using Vetiver/Vermicomposting Technologies
The pig industry in Mauritius is an explosive issue due to its waste management in terms of techniques available locally as well as the socio-cultural beliefs nationally. The country, with its less than 500 breeders of pigs, produces annually about 15,000 pigs.
Considering 15,000 m3 * liquid waste produced during the process of breeding, and with the excess of Phosphorus and Nitrogen in the system*, it is clearly a big issue to be resolved if we were to have an environmentally friendly approach to the problem.
This waste, if not managed appropriately, represents a potential hazard and direct threat to terrestrial and aquatic (underground water resources) environment. (Final Report Technical Advisory Committee:? Management of Pig Wastes? Ministry of Environment & NDU, March 2004).
This report also makes reference to the management of Pig Wastes throughout the country, and it was found that most of the waste water generated is not adequately treated or is not treated at all. Indeed, these raw or partially treated wastes are being disposed of into the environment causing environmental hazards. (Technical Advisory Committee, March 2004).
It is therefore imperative that a proper solution be found to treat this enormous amount of effluent that is threatening irremediably our environment everyday. Further this project will enable Women Entrepreneurs through EFOI develop new business sectors in aromatherapy (Essential oils) and handicraft/ ornamentals.
Two organisations, namely, ?Ferme des Iles? (Island Farm) and ?Entreprendre au Féminin? ? ( Women Entrepreneur) Indian Ocean decided to set up a joint project aimed primarily at pig production and the professional management of the effluents.
Indeed, as animal waste, particularly pig waste, is a chronic issue here in Mauritius, the proper management of the latter could evolved as a viable economic activity for ?local Entrepreneurs? and the technology developed could be duplicated for the breeder?s group locally and eventually replicated elsewhere in the Indian ocean.( SADC Countries- Indian Ocean Commission- Indian ocean Rim...)
Ferme des Iles (FDI) was established in March 2004 by a group of eight young pig producers having a new vision and approach to farming.
Entreprendre au Féminin ? Océan Indien (EFOI) is an association of women entrepreneurs of micro-enterprises set up for the promotion of Women Entrepreneurship in the Indian Ocean. The economic activities of its 60 members span four broad industry sectors, namely agriculture, handicraft, manufacturing and service.
Through their intensive research, they came across the works of Dr Paul Truong from Veticon Consulting Pty Ltd, Australia on Vetiver Grass Technology and to that of former Mauricompost Ltd newly incorporated Organitech Ltd. This organisation has developed a biotechnology known as Vermicomposting (earthworm and compost production) and has the potential to treat the overall pig wastes in conjunction with other agricultural solid waste.
In recent years, experiments by Australian, Chinese, and Thai scientists have all identified the use of Vetiver** in the alleviation of environmental hazards resulting from toxic minerals, waste disposal problems, and low water quality.
According to P. Truong, application of the Vetiver Technology for wastewater treatment is a new and innovative phyto-remedial technology recently developed in Queensland by the Department of Natural Reserves and Mines. It is a free and environmentally friendly wastewater treatment technology as well as a natural recycling method; its end-product has several uses including aromatherapy and handicraft
The project consists mainly of treating pig effluents from a pig farm of 50 heads with Vetiver plants in combination with Vermicomposting.
The project is unique in that:
1) It helps developing an appropriate and sustainable technology in animal waste management, specifically pig?s waste.
2) It allows the development of locally developed bio-technologies at low cost and training possibilities for women group
3) It provides material for the agribusiness-(Compost/earthworm) handicraft and cosmetology industry (Vetiver and Essential oils), a source of sustainable income for different groups of entrepreneurs while making use of biotechnologies using local technicians and materials
4) It is developed with the aim to transfer the technology/know-how locally and regionally as required
In summary, these techniques maximise the use of the locally found materials (vetiver plant and earthworms-Vermiculture) and provide community initiatives to eliminate the causes of land and water based sources of pollution, particularly nutrients present in pig effluents. It is thus in line with the operational program 10 of the GEF/SGP, under the focal area of the international waters and biodiversity. As Activity Category, it englobes all four:
1. Demonstration project,
2. Capacity Building project,
3. Applied Research & Policy Analysis and Information,
4. Networking & Policy Dialogue.
To enable our organisation to succeed in implementing the project, we shall require:
Ø Technical support in terms of consultancy,
· Dr Paul Truong (Veticon Consulting Pty, Australia)
· Ig Bernard Hennuy, BH Consultants, Belgium & Organitech Ltd.
training and assessment of local potentials as well as transfer of technologies.
Ø Part of Equipment & Tools (Agricultural tools, Generator, PH meter, thermometers, water/fluid pumps)
Ø Part of Infrastructure (Pipes, Concrete tanks/ beddings, office)
Ø Transport cost
Ø Labour
Ø Office expenses (communication, PC, paper...)
Ø Raw material (Vetiver, bagasse, manure...)
Ø Land Lease and Land Preparation for Vetiver and Vermiculture
The total estimated budget of the project is estimated to be MRU 2,593,025.
FDI is providing a total of MRU 711, 900. Organitech Ltd (Mauritius) providing MRU 295,000
A request of MRU 1,400,125 is being submitted to the GEF/SGP. The remaining MRU186, 000 will be solicited from the ministry of Environment (National Environment Fund).
Considering 15,000 m3 * liquid waste produced during the process of breeding, and with the excess of Phosphorus and Nitrogen in the system*, it is clearly a big issue to be resolved if we were to have an environmentally friendly approach to the problem.
This waste, if not managed appropriately, represents a potential hazard and direct threat to terrestrial and aquatic (underground water resources) environment. (Final Report Technical Advisory Committee:? Management of Pig Wastes? Ministry of Environment & NDU, March 2004).
This report also makes reference to the management of Pig Wastes throughout the country, and it was found that most of the waste water generated is not adequately treated or is not treated at all. Indeed, these raw or partially treated wastes are being disposed of into the environment causing environmental hazards. (Technical Advisory Committee, March 2004).
It is therefore imperative that a proper solution be found to treat this enormous amount of effluent that is threatening irremediably our environment everyday. Further this project will enable Women Entrepreneurs through EFOI develop new business sectors in aromatherapy (Essential oils) and handicraft/ ornamentals.
Two organisations, namely, ?Ferme des Iles? (Island Farm) and ?Entreprendre au Féminin? ? ( Women Entrepreneur) Indian Ocean decided to set up a joint project aimed primarily at pig production and the professional management of the effluents.
Indeed, as animal waste, particularly pig waste, is a chronic issue here in Mauritius, the proper management of the latter could evolved as a viable economic activity for ?local Entrepreneurs? and the technology developed could be duplicated for the breeder?s group locally and eventually replicated elsewhere in the Indian ocean.( SADC Countries- Indian Ocean Commission- Indian ocean Rim...)
Ferme des Iles (FDI) was established in March 2004 by a group of eight young pig producers having a new vision and approach to farming.
Entreprendre au Féminin ? Océan Indien (EFOI) is an association of women entrepreneurs of micro-enterprises set up for the promotion of Women Entrepreneurship in the Indian Ocean. The economic activities of its 60 members span four broad industry sectors, namely agriculture, handicraft, manufacturing and service.
Through their intensive research, they came across the works of Dr Paul Truong from Veticon Consulting Pty Ltd, Australia on Vetiver Grass Technology and to that of former Mauricompost Ltd newly incorporated Organitech Ltd. This organisation has developed a biotechnology known as Vermicomposting (earthworm and compost production) and has the potential to treat the overall pig wastes in conjunction with other agricultural solid waste.
In recent years, experiments by Australian, Chinese, and Thai scientists have all identified the use of Vetiver** in the alleviation of environmental hazards resulting from toxic minerals, waste disposal problems, and low water quality.
According to P. Truong, application of the Vetiver Technology for wastewater treatment is a new and innovative phyto-remedial technology recently developed in Queensland by the Department of Natural Reserves and Mines. It is a free and environmentally friendly wastewater treatment technology as well as a natural recycling method; its end-product has several uses including aromatherapy and handicraft
The project consists mainly of treating pig effluents from a pig farm of 50 heads with Vetiver plants in combination with Vermicomposting.
The project is unique in that:
1) It helps developing an appropriate and sustainable technology in animal waste management, specifically pig?s waste.
2) It allows the development of locally developed bio-technologies at low cost and training possibilities for women group
3) It provides material for the agribusiness-(Compost/earthworm) handicraft and cosmetology industry (Vetiver and Essential oils), a source of sustainable income for different groups of entrepreneurs while making use of biotechnologies using local technicians and materials
4) It is developed with the aim to transfer the technology/know-how locally and regionally as required
In summary, these techniques maximise the use of the locally found materials (vetiver plant and earthworms-Vermiculture) and provide community initiatives to eliminate the causes of land and water based sources of pollution, particularly nutrients present in pig effluents. It is thus in line with the operational program 10 of the GEF/SGP, under the focal area of the international waters and biodiversity. As Activity Category, it englobes all four:
1. Demonstration project,
2. Capacity Building project,
3. Applied Research & Policy Analysis and Information,
4. Networking & Policy Dialogue.
To enable our organisation to succeed in implementing the project, we shall require:
Ø Technical support in terms of consultancy,
· Dr Paul Truong (Veticon Consulting Pty, Australia)
· Ig Bernard Hennuy, BH Consultants, Belgium & Organitech Ltd.
training and assessment of local potentials as well as transfer of technologies.
Ø Part of Equipment & Tools (Agricultural tools, Generator, PH meter, thermometers, water/fluid pumps)
Ø Part of Infrastructure (Pipes, Concrete tanks/ beddings, office)
Ø Transport cost
Ø Labour
Ø Office expenses (communication, PC, paper...)
Ø Raw material (Vetiver, bagasse, manure...)
Ø Land Lease and Land Preparation for Vetiver and Vermiculture
The total estimated budget of the project is estimated to be MRU 2,593,025.
FDI is providing a total of MRU 711, 900. Organitech Ltd (Mauritius) providing MRU 295,000
A request of MRU 1,400,125 is being submitted to the GEF/SGP. The remaining MRU186, 000 will be solicited from the ministry of Environment (National Environment Fund).
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Project Snapshot
Grantee:
Ferme des Iles
Country:
Mauritius
Area Of Work:
International Waters
Grant Amount:
US$ 50,000.00
Co-Financing Cash:
Co-Financing in-Kind:
Project Number:
MAR/05/02
Status:
Project Terminated Before Completion
Project Characteristics and Results
Capacity - Building Component
1.Introduction of the new and innovative phytoremediation concept and technique using vetiver grass to treat piggery wastewater.
2.Training local technicians, scientists and environmental officers on the design and application of the Vetiver system in treating effluent and contaminated wastewater.
3.Introduction to vermicompost technology and its various applications world wide in the recycling of organic waste at large
4. Training local technicians, scientific and environmental officers on the different techniques and application of vermicomposting, (use of local worms)
5.
Notable Community Participation
15,000m3 pig effluents awaiting proper treatment before being discharged in the environment, represents much hazards on the very existence of the 500 mauritian pig breeders who produces them.
This pilot project will surely open safer and sure way for them to continue their trade safely and permanently.Indeed, Ferme des Iles (FDI) is fostering the development of locally developed bio-technologies at low cost ?viz.
(1)Vetiver grass technology and
(2)vermicomposting with a view to help the pig breeders in Mauritius solving their long problematic burden of pig waste management . This transfer of technology/know-how can also be extended regionally (SADC countries- Indian Ocean Commission- Indian Ocean Rim). Therefore Ferme des Iles could become ?Fermes des Iles?, where all the stakeholders in this sector could share the newly developed bio-technology.
Community participation:
At least 3 field days or open days will be conducted:
-after the completion of the installation of infrastructure
-6 to 8 months after the system become full operational
-12 months after the system become full operational
During these expositions, the community will have the opportunity to participate fully in the project. Active interaction will be organised between the participants and the consultants on the newly developed technologies. Members of Ferme des Iles (FDI) would be able to master both technologies with a view to help their fellow comrades sharing the same trade. FDI wish to make every stakeholder in this sector benefit from both technologies and whatever progress achieved. By so doing FDI intent upgrade existing pigs? farms to acceptable norms, and help pig farmers master all management of pig waste. This will help them and their families upgrade their standard of living considerably. (Note that most of the pig breeder population are low educated; and this explain why most of government initiatives to uplift their status failed)
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Partnership |
| Organitech Ltd, Grantee, Community, National Environment Fund |
SGP Country office contact
Mrs. Pamela Bapoo-Dundoo
Phone:
(230) 213 53 84
Fax:
(230) 212 14 11
Email:
Address
2nd Floor, Sugar Industry Pension Fund Building, 1 Remy Ollier Street
Port Louis, Mauritius
Port Louis, Mauritius
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